TO HEAL A WOUNDED HEART
On the planet Olivine and her elementals had once called home, the sun no longer shone. The entire ruined world was bathed in darkness with only the faintest of light allowing the destruction to be seen. Alone, a sanctuary among the desolation, the palace stood above all else. Its walls may have been polished at one point in time, but were now grim with the scars of the battle lost.
Nothing lived on this world, but it was home to one.
Hidden within the palace it had made, the sole survivor of the twisted story it had created, Chaos waited.
*******
The senshi met as usual at Rei's shrine, gathering in the priestess' room for tea and cakes. They assembled around the low table, sitting on cushions on the floor as they discussed future plans. The group, however, was not the same at it had once been, and the contributions of the three missing people weighed heavily on the others.
"And then," Usagi laughed, "Umino fell flat on his face! In front of everyone! Poor Naru-chan was so embarrassed!"
"I'm sure you knew how she felt, Usagi-chan," Rei said.
Usagi blushed. "Don't be so mean, Rei."
The others laughed as Rei and Usagi began one of their usual spats. Makoto glanced over to the corner of the room where Haruka and Michiru usually remained and sighed. Her eyes then landed on the cushion where Kami had sat and had told them jokes and stories of her home in North America. Makoto felt her eyes brimming with tears as she recalled fondly a past which would never come again.
"Are you listening, Mako-chan?" Minako asked.
Makoto forced a smile and turned back to her friends. "Sorry, I was thinking of something else."
"We were wondering if you would make us a picnic lunch when we go to Mamoru's friend's farm tomorrow," Ami told her.
Makoto nodded. "Of course. Count on me."
"Do you think they'll have bunnies?" Usagi asked. "Maybe kittens?"
"Why would you want to see kittens?" Minako said. "You can see Luna whenever you want."
"Yeah, but kittens are cute and cuddly," Usagi said. "Luna is well.."
"I'm cuddly," Luna exclaimed. "Honestly Usagi, you should be thinking more about our new enemy than bunnies and kittens."
The mention of Chaos shut them all up and Luna was immediately sorry she had said anything. The memory of Kami's death was still fresh, even though months had since past. The strange demonic force that had kept Kami locked between good and evil still roamed free, searching for something the senshi could only guess at. Even their guesses were just speculation since Chaos had not revealed a hint of what it was after.
"I wonder what it wants," Makoto mused.
"Us," Rei said. "It wants us gone for good. It wants to rule the Earth."
"Haruka-san and Michiru-san seemed to know a lot about Chaos," Ami said hesitantly. "Maybe we should ask them."
"No!" Usagi cried, her voice full of anger. "I will never talk to them again. Not after what they did."
"They were trying to save your life," Luna said gently.
"Kami was fighting it," Usagi told them. "She was returning to us. A few more minutes.."
The group fell silent, thinking of what could have been. Outside the window, two forms slipped away from the shrine and headed down the stairs to the street below.
*******
Ami swam the length of the pool, enjoying the calming effect being underwater had on her. She smiled to herself as she felt her worries liquefy around her and roll off her shoulders into the water. She, like the others, had been quite distressed over Kami's death but could see the logic behind the act. It was the duty of all the senshi to protect their princess and at that moment, Sailor Moon had been in serious danger.
Ami saw movement out of the corner of her eye and slowed her speed to allow the other to catch up. The long, slender form of Michiru glided beside her. Michiru pointed up and the two girls - both senshi of the same element - headed to the surface.
"Nice to see you again, Ami-chan," Michiru said with a smile.
"Michiru-san!" Ami said in surprise. "Forgive me, I didn't know you wanted to swim. I'll leave."
Ami headed for the edge of the pool and pulled herself onto the deck. Michiru followed, echoing the other's movements precisely. As Ami reached for her towel, Michiru caught her hand.
"Haruka isn't here," Michiru said. "I wanted to talk to you alone, Ami."
Ami licked her lips, wondering how Usagi would react if she knew they were talking. Ami picked up the towel and started to walk away.
"Please," Michiru called after her. "We're both senshi, and we both want the same things. Let us help."
Ami paused. Slowly, she turned around and nodded.
"Usagi-chan must not know," Ami said as Michiru joined her. "She would be devastated."
Michiru nodded. "I understand. Let's go someplace more comfortable and talk."
*******
An hour later, Ami and Michiru were seated in a small restaurant sipping drinks. Ami watched the door nervously in case any of her friends should enter, but Michiru was calm and relaxed.
"We're sorry," the aquamarine haired girl began. "Kami was a friend to us and, although you and the others were closer to her, we both respected her."
Ami swallowed. "I understand why you did what you had to do, but it doesn't make this easier."
"I know that," Michiru said gently. "But I thought knowing Haruka and I felt remorse for our action would help."
Ami put her cup down and smiled. "You joined us when we tried to save her. That was enough to show me you still cared."
Michiru sat back. "Good, now what about the new enemy? I was watching you when Chaos attacked the child in the store. What do you make of it?"
"Destroying Kami obviously didn't stop Chaos," Ami said, "but I think we weakened it. Maybe it's searching for energy?"
Michiru nodded thoughtfully. "At the Gates of Time, Haruka and I visited Setsuna. She told us of the three pieces of Chaos that were split during a time when there were senshi all over the galaxy. The senshi fought together and destroyed a large part of Chaos, and Sailor Moon destroyed another part when Empress Metallia was defeated, but the third part was still able to cause trouble. Queen Serenity had sealed it into the sun, which was how Kami ended up being trapped between good and evil as the Guardian of both the Sun and Chaos."
Ami nodded. "That makes sense, but we destroyed the Dark Scout with Prince Rutile. I saw the shadow separate itself from the ring and engulf him."
Michiru shrugged. "Setsuna didn't know how Chaos found its way to Kami again, but she did say that by throwing it at Rutile, you made it stronger. It fed off his negative energy."
"That would explain how it got Kami again," Ami said. She sat back with a sigh. "I guess we have to wait until Chaos makes the next move."
Michiru nodded. "Keep on your toes, Ami-chan. Do you have any plans?"
"We're going to a farm tomorrow. Mamoru asked his friend if we could visit to try and cheer us up."
"It's up to you to protect Usagi," Michiru said. "Don't count on Haruka or I to show up anymore. Things have changed between us. I can't even mention any of you with Haruka getting upset."
"We'll meet again," Ami told her. "Secretly."
Michiru rose to her feet and held out her hand. Ami shook it and started to walk away.
"Ami-chan!" Michiru called.
The blue haired girl turned. Michiru smiled.
"Thank you."
*******
Chaos paced back and forth in the throne room of its palace. It still wore the face and body of its former host, the black uniform of the one called the Dark Scout. Although Chaos had no gender itself, it was most comfortable in this form. The senshi of the Sun had been a rare find for it, opening its senses to new kinds of power it had only dreamed of before. It had slumbered patiently for over a thousand years, feeling the death of part of itself in the form of Empress Metallia, but knowing its chance for revenge would come. It would destroy the Moon Queen who had imprisoned it in the large star, and it would see the galaxy's order demolished.
Chaos had finally awakened to find the Moon Queen already gone, but its previous host still very much alive. It sought out the greed of Rutile, forcing the Solar senshi to revive and then it abandoned its host for the delicious power of the Sun. A smile still crept over its lips has it remembered its first taste of her power. So much had been unknown to her - she could have easily taken over the galaxy if she had not struggled so hard against its will. Chaos shrugged. The power of the Sun no longer belonged to anyone, having been killed along with its Guardian. Chaos was alone again and weakened, but would find another.
There would always be another.
*******
Mamoru honked impatiently outside the Tsukino residence. His car was already nearly full of girls and he wondered to himself what had possessed him to offer to drive. Minako, Makoto, and Ami sat crammed into the back seat while Rei sat up front, talking endlessly about trivial things. Mamoru suspected that, despite all Rei said, she still had a crush on him. The thought made him uncomfortable, and he honked his horn again.
The door opened and he saw Usagi come out, a smile on her face but her blue eyes still mirroring her sadness. She wore a pink skirt and blue top and was fingering a silver, sun-shaped ring on her finger. Instantly, Mamoru remembered why he was taking them to his friend's farm. Usagi's happiness meant everything to him and if she was sad, so was he. It had already been over a month since Kami's death and Chaos had yet to show itself again. Mamoru got out of the car, ignoring Rei's complaint that he wasn't listening to her story, and opened his arms.
Usagi flew into his embrace. They held each other for a moment before Mamoru felt a tug on his pant leg. Chibiusa was looking up at him expectantly. He smiled and picked her up, her arms wrapping around his neck.
"You have everything, Usako?" Mamoru asked.
Usagi nodded. Chibiusa piled into the back seat with the others while Usagi sat up front between Rei and Mamoru. A minute later, they were off. They drove around a corner and onto the highway, passing a small yellow convertible.
"There they go," Haruka said. "Do you want me to follow them?"
Michiru winced. Haruka's tone clearly indicated she wanted nothing to do with the overly emotional inner senshi. Instead, Michiru laid a hand over Haruka's and smiled.
"They'll be fine," she said. "Let's just have this day to ourselves. Besides, there's something I think we have to do."
Haruka smiled back and revved up the engine. They sped off into the distance, heading in the opposite direction of Mamoru's car.
*******
Mamoru drove for hours, through the city and into the countryside beyond. The tall buildings were replaced with trees and farmland. Chibiusa stared out the window in awe, taking in all the surroundings.
"This isn't at all like where we were," she said.
"We were in the mountains, Chibiusa," Mamoru said. "A farm is a lot different."
"Aren't there any farms in the 30th century?" Minako asked, her voice slightly worried.
"Of course," Chibiusa replied, "but a princess doesn't usually get the chance to visit them. I have to learn about government and stuff."
"Oh," Minako said, obviously relieved.
Usagi was watching the farms pass too. She was thinking about the first time Kami had taken them horseback riding. They had wandered through the trails, happily enjoying the outdoors until a monster had attacked. Usagi bit her lip and tried to direct her thoughts elsewhere. Mamoru saw her face turn troubled and flashed her a grin.
"Enjoying the ride, Usako?" he asked.
Usagi nodded. "Are we almost there? I want to see the bunnies!"
Mamoru laughed. "A few more minutes. Be patient."
Usagi sat back and waited, determined to please Mamoru. He was doing so much for her, she wanted to repay his kindness.
Minutes later, Mamoru slowed and turned down a dirt road. Just ahead loomed a large red barn with a small farmhouse next to it.
"This doesn't look very Japanese," Ami remarked with a frown.
"Did I forget to mention my friend is American?" Mamoru asked. "He went to university here, and he wanted to feel more at home so he build an American-type farm in Japan."
"Neat!" Usagi exclaimed. "Is he a cowboy?"
"Of course not," Rei snapped. "Don't be stupid."
"Maybe you can practice your English while you're here, Usagi-chan," Ami said.
Usagi moaned at the thought and the others laughed. The car slid to a halt and a man of about thirty-five came out of the farmhouse. He waved as he approached and the girls climbed out of the car. Mamoru walked over to greet his friend.
"Girls," he said, "this is Daniel."
"Pleased to meet you," Daniel said in perfect Japanese.
Daniel was as tall as Mamoru with brown eyes and short brown hair that stuck out from under his baseball hat. He wore a pale yellow shirt and blue jeans with cowboy boots on his feet. Mamoru introduced the girls to him, and they all bowed respectfully. Daniel laughed.
"I'll never get used to all this bowing," he confessed. "Back home, we'd just shake hands."
"Daddy!" someone called from the farmhouse.
Daniel turned and motioned for the person to come over. A boy of about Chibiusa's age came over and stood behind his father. He had black hair and brown eyes and his features were both Japanese and American. Daniel put his hand on the boy's head.
"This is my son, Darran," Daniel said. "I'm sorry my wife isn't here today. She went to Tokyo to visit her sister."
"Hi!" Darran said to the girls, his eyes mainly on Chibiusa.
"Hi," Chibiusa said back.
"Do you want to see my pet llama?" Darran asked shyly.
"Sure," Chibiusa replied with a smile.
Darran grinned back. "Great, let's go!"
The two children ran off, leaving Daniel with Mamoru and the five teens. They were silent for a moment, none of them knowing how to proceed.
"Do you girls want to see the barn?" Daniel asked.
"Do you have bunnies?" Usagi blurted.
Rei shot her a dark look and Usagi immediately blushed. She was about to apologize, but Daniel was laughing.
"Follow me," he said. "I don't think you'll be disappointed."
*******
The small grave stood alone, isolated from the others. It contained no body beneath it, but was all that remained of one who's life had been cut short . The stone was a smooth gray with no writing on it. Instead of a name, a symbol had been carved - a round circle with a small heart on the inside - the sign of the Sun. Two newly planted yellow flowers were on either side of it and they drooped sadly as if in memory.
Haruka stood in front of the marker, dark sunglasses hiding her eyes. She gazed down, her hands clasped in front of her as she paid her last respects to the girl she had killed. Her face betrayed no emotion - no regret, no pain - but a single tear slid down her cheek. She took a deep breath and felt an arm slip around her waist.
Michiru's face was streaked with tears, but her face remained as impassive as her partner's. Haruka reached down and gripped her hand.
"We've been preparing for this moment for so long," Michiru remarked. "First with Hotaru, then with Kami. Somehow I imagined it to be easier."
Haruka swallowed but said nothing. Michiru looked up at her.
"Did we do the right thing, Haruka?"
Haruka looked down but the expression on her face did not change. "We did our duty to protect our princess."
"Our duty," Michiru repeated sadly. "Our duty cost us an ally and friend."
A breeze gently blew through the cemetery, rustling the grass and shaking the branches of the nearby trees. Michiru raised her head suddenly, her eyes sweeping the deserted graveyard. She had heard something - something that she could not place. It was like a sigh, full of sadness and longing. Haruka watched her curiously.
"You okay?" Haruka asked gently.
Michiru shook her head, dismissing the emotion. "Yes. I just felt strange for a moment, like someone was here with us."
Haruka looked around. "I think graveyards will do that to anyone. We come to seek forgiveness and try to imagine that we are receiving it."
The wind picked up again and Michiru cocked her head, listening. The sigh had changed, more like laughter now. A chill went down Michiru's spine and she shivered.
"I think I would like to go now," she said, taking Haruka's arm again.
Haruka bowed once more to the lone marker and they headed back to the car. On the slick tombstone, the sign of the Sun glowed with a faint yellow light.
*******
Usagi sat in a pile of hay, laughing. She was surrounded by bunnies of all colours and sizes. A large, droopy eared one sat in her lap, munching contentedly on the hem of her skirt while smaller bunnies hopped around her. A few feet away, Ami and Rei were playing with three small kittens while the mother cat watched. Minako and Makoto were feeding chickens with Daniel and Mamoru watched them all with a smile on his face. Just outside the barn where they sat, Mamoru could faintly hear Chibiusa giggling with Darran as they played together.
"Mamo-chan," Usagi called.
Mamoru knelt next to Usagi and she put a small white bunny in his hands. He stared at it as it stared back and began to laugh.
"I don't need this," Mamoru said, putting the rabbit back on the ground. "I already have a bunny twice as cute as it."
He put his arm around Usagi's shoulders and she slid easily into his embrace. The droopy eared bunny jumped out of Usagi's lap, his meal interrupted.
"Maybe we should have brought Luna and Artemis," Ami remarked.
"They said they had important work to do," Minako called from the chicken coop. "I think they're planning our next move."
"Who are Luna and Artemis?" Daniel asked curiously. "Friends of yours?"
The girls shot angry looks and Minako for nearly telling their host their secret. Minako blushed and turned back to feeding the chickens.
"Yeah," Rei said quickly. "They both had to work today so they couldn't come with us."
"Strange names," Daniel remarked. "Not Japanese at all. Are they from around here?"
"No," Rei replied. "They moved here from America, I think."
Daniel tossed the last of his feed and left the coop. He tossed the empty bag in the corner and brushed off his hands.
"Both their names are from Goddesses of the moon," he continued.
"Goddesses?" Usagi exclaimed. She quickly covered her mouth to stifle her laughter.
"I take it they're not girls," Daniel said with a smile.
"Luna is," Minako said, "but Artemis is not. I wonder if he knows what his name means?"
"I'm sure you'll be the first to tell him," Makoto said, scattering the last of her feed and joining Daniel outside the coop.
Minako quickly emptied the rest of her bag and left the chickens as well. The others got to their feet and looked at Daniel expectantly.
"Now that you've seen the barn, how about we go inside for some lunch?" he suggested.
"Mako-chan brought a lunch for us," Usagi said. "She's the best cook in the whole world!"
Makoto blushed as Daniel turned his attention to her. "It's just some left overs I rustled up. Nothing spectacular."
"How about I set up a blanket beside the pond and we can have a picnic and watch the ducks swim?" Daniel said.
"Sounds great," Mamoru replied. "Let me give you a hand."
Daniel opened his mouth to accept his friends offer when a terrified scream pierced the air. The group ran outside the barn in time to see a strange furry humanoid creature lifting Darran into the air. Chibiusa lay on the ground, her eyes wide with terror as the monster reached out to grab her next.
"Darran!" Daniel yelled.
He turned to the girls. "Stay here and keep out of its way!"
Before they could answer Daniel charged at the creature, his hands tight in fists. Mamoru ran after him and the girls slipped silently back into the barn.
*******
The monster had brown fur growing all over it and, except for its distinctly female shape and head, it resembled a bear. Intelligent red eyes watched the two men approach and it held the still struggling Darran tightly in one hand.
Daniel collided with the monster, knocking it off balance for a split second. Mamoru headed to Chibiusa and swept her up in his arms. The monster lashed out and back handed Daniel, its claws connecting with the farmer's jaw. Daniel went flying back the way he had come and landed in a heap. Still holding Chibiusa, Mamoru ran to his friend's side.
"Daniel, are you okay?" Mamoru asked.
"Darran," Daniel said, struggling to sit up. "Please, help him."
"We'll handle that!" a new voice said.
Daniel, Mamoru, Chibiusa, and the monster all looked over to the barn where five figures stood silhouetted by the sun. They stepped forward, placing themselves between Daniel and the creature.
"Interrupting a beautiful day at the farm is very bad manners," Sailor Moon told the monster. "Even worse to do it so close to lunch. We can't forgive you! I fight for love and justice and, in the name of the Moon"
"In the name of Mercury," Sailor Mercury added.
"For Mars," Sailor Mars continued.
"And Jupiter," Sailor Jupiter said.
"And especially Venus," Sailor Venus said with a wink.
"We'll punish you!" they finished together.
The monster shoved Darran inside a small cage normally used for transporting his llama to the vet. As the furry creature locked the door, Darran peered out from behind the bars, his eyes wide in fear as he witnessed the battle that would save or destroy him. The air hung motionless around them as the senshi and the creature faced off.
"Fire Soul!" Sailor Mars cried.
The flame singed the monster but it managed to leap clear. Sailor Jupiter was ready for it when it landed. She flew towards it in a flying kick which struck into its stomach. The monster smiled wickedly as its fur grew longer, encompassing the green senshi.
"Jupiter!" Sailor Moon gasped.
The fur detached itself from the monster, leaving Jupiter completely encased in brown hair. It surrounded her head, brown vine-like hairs covering everything save her face. Jupiter struggled but could not break free.
"Venus Love-Me Chain!" Sailor Venus yelled.
The furry beast jumped high in the air. While it was above the senshi, it threw something at the people below. Hundreds of small brown balls scattered everywhere, landing on the senshi as well as Daniel, Mamoru, and Chibiusa. As they struck, their victims froze.
"I can't move!" Sailor Mars exclaimed.
"Neither can I!" Moon cried.
The monster laughed to itself as it walked between the frozen senshi to the cage where Darran waited in terrified silence. A tear slid down Sailor Moon's cheek as the bear monster opened the cage and took Darran out. The boy began to glow and he sunk into unconsciousness. A sudden breeze picked up as a silver silhouette of Darran separated itself from the boy and hovered above him, joined by a single silver cord.
"What is it doing?" Venus asked.
Mercury had managed to draw out her computer and was trying to get a reading of both the monster and Darran's silver self. The monster snarled in frustration as the silver shadow receded back into Darran and the brown creature threw him aside in disgust. It turned back to the senshi.
"World Shaking!"
A ball of energy slammed into the monster, destroying it instantly. The senshi suddenly found the spell broken and they stumbled forward. Sailor Neptune was kneeling next to Darran, checking his pulse. Sailor Uranus stood next to her, looking very unhappy.
"He'll be fine," Neptune told Daniel as she rose to her feet.
The two outer senshi began to walk away. A deep laughter filled the air and the breeze began to die down again. Neptune and Uranus turned to see Chaos appear between them and the inner senshi.
"We meet again," it said in a voice that was nothing like Kami's had been although it still wore the form of the Dark Scout.
"Chaos," Sailor Moon hissed. "What do you want?"
"What I've wanted all along," Chaos said. "I want to destroy Order."
The wind began anew, blowing furiously and Chaos looked around in alarm. It covered its face to block the wind and turned back to the senshi with an angry hiss.
"You're spared again, Sailor brats, but your benefactor can't save you forever! My time will come!"
Chaos disappeared. Sailor Neptune was listening to the wind intently as it blew around them one last time before vanishing.
"Get out of here!" Jupiter yelled at the backs of the departing outer senshi.
"You're welcome," Uranus replied as she and Neptune disappeared.
*******
The rest of the day was uneventful. Darran woke up remembering little about his experience except that he was saved by a group of beautiful angels. Usagi and the others enjoyed their picnic by the pond before saying a fond farewell to Daniel and Darran as they headed back toward the city.
That evening, they gathered as usual in Rei's bedroom for the meeting. They had told their adventure to Luna and Artemis who congratulated them on handling it so well.
"So Chaos is after children," Luna remarked. "What did you get on your computer, Ami-chan?"
"Not much," Ami said regretfully. "I couldn't turn it on in time to find out what Darran's silver shadow really was. I did get some very strong readings after Chaos left."
"When the wind was blowing around?" Rei said. "It looked like Chaos was afraid of it."
Ami nodded. "Chaos said something about our benefactor saving us."
"I'm confused," Usagi whined. "Who is Chaos so scared of?"
"I want to know what Michiru and Haruka were doing there," Makoto huffed. "There's no way they could have followed us."
The senshi shrugged. Luna noticed that Ami's eyes were downcast and she said nothing.
"No sense worrying about it," Luna said. "I'm sure they had their own reason for being there. Besides, it was lucky they saved you when they did."
"At least we know they're not our enemies," Minako said.
Usagi remained silent, fingering the sun-shaped ring. Chaos would be a powerful enemy and one that would be extremely difficult to destroy. She wondered if she and the senshi were up for it. As conversation moved from business to pleasure, she smiled as she listened to her friend's talk. Whatever the outcome, they would face it together.
*******
On the dark planet, Chaos sat on the throne that had once belonged to Olivine. Twice it had chosen wrong and twice the senshi had defeated it. It's time would come. There were only so many children in Tokyo who could have what it needed. Time and patience was all it required and it had both.
Something about its two encounters with the senshi troubled it. Chaos had felt a presence both times — something alien and familiar at the same time. It wondered if they had a trick up their sleeve in store for it, a wild card they were not ready to reveal. With a shrug, Chaos dismissed the fear. The senshi were divided and would remain so for a long time. It was sure that divided, they would fall.